City removes bushes for traffic safety

Sharp-eyed motorists traveling along South Main Street might have noticed that some shrubbery at the corner of Sixth Street did a disappearing act last week.

The Concordia Board of Aldermen voted to remove the bushes, which had grown so large they were reducing visibility at the intersection.

The Concordia Police Advisory Board had looked at the bushes some time ago, but decided at that time they were not a significant safety risk. City Administrator Dale Klussman said the bushes had grown quite a bit since then.

In addition to blocking the line of sight for vehicles traveling east on Sixth Street, they were also crowding the sidewalk. Klussman said they were at the perfect height to catch children in the torso and face as they walked by.

Because of their location at the corner of Central Park and near the veterans memorial walkway, Klussman checked with the VFW and parks department to make sure the bushes had no special significance. In learning the bushes are not important to anyone, Klussman said he was comfortable recommending they be removed.

Alderman Mark Schnakenberg asked if the city would need to plant anything to replace the shrubbery, but Klussman said putting something back would likely just lead to the same problem again in the future.

City Clerk Sue Frank noted there is already one of the city's large concrete planter boxes near the corner. She said that it was hard to see because of the shrubbery but would be more visible with them gone.

With the approval of the council, city crews wasted little time, and the bushes were gone by Friday afternoon.